A highly experienced RNZAF pilot died after his CT-4E Airtrainer crashed during a Red Checkers aerobatics display team training flight near the Raumai weapons range on January 14.
SQNLDR Nick Cree, 32 years old, was a flight commander at the Central Flying School at RNZAF Ohakea, and was practising manoeuvres with the Red Checkers team when the crash occurred. A nearby spraying helicopter quickly responded by dousing the ensuing fire and also directed emergency services to the site of the crash.
The RNZAF has not said what the likely cause of the crash is, and two investigations now underway are expected to take at least one month.
